Sabbath Rest in a City That Never Stops: A Christian's Guide to the Long Week in Johannesburg

There is a sound Johannesburg makes at six in the morning that you stop hearing after a few years in the city. It is the sound of an engine starting in the next driveway, a kettle clicking on, a taxi hooting on the corner of Republic Road. The sound means the week has begun. The sound also means the week has not ended, because in Johannesburg the week is rarely ending. The week is a long loop that begins again on the other side of a Sunday that feels like a Saturday.

The Christian in Johannesburg is not the only one who is tired. The Christian in Johannesburg is, however, the one who has been told by the Bible that the tiredness does not have to win. The Bible treats rest as a creation ordinance. The Bible treats rest as a liberation ordinance. The Sabbath is not a reward for hard work. The Sabbath is a gift for people who have been working hard.

What the Bible Actually Says About Rest

Genesis 2:2-3 — By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Exodus 20:8-11 — Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. Exodus 31:17 — It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 — the Sabbath remembered because they were slaves in Egypt. The Sabbath is not a luxury. The Sabbath is the day on which the people of God remember that they are not slaves to the long loop.

What the Bible Says About Work and Burnout

Genesis 2:15 — the garden given to be worked. Colossians 3:23 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Exodus 18:17-18 — Jethro to Moses, What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. 1 Kings 19:4-8 — Elijah under the broom tree, the angel who brought bread, Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you. Galatians 6:9 — at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Matthew 11:28-30 — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Psalm 127:2 — In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Why the Christian in Johannesburg Struggles with Sabbath

The job rewards the long hours — Colossians 3:23, work in the six days, rest in the seventh. The family is already running — Deuteronomy 6:7, the teaching happens at home, on the road, lying down, getting up. The work has moved inside the body — Psalm 4:8, In peace I will lie down and sleep. Psalm 23:2-3, He makes me lie down in green pastures. Philippians 4:6-7, bring the noisy heart to God. Mark 2:27 — The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a gift for the creature, not a burden for the creature.

Five Practices for the Christian Who Wants to Keep the Sabbath

Set aside one hour in the week. Stop answering the email after eight. Cook one meal slowly. Read Psalm 127 before bed. Show up on a Wednesday. The Christian who has one hour in the week has begun the long work of the Sabbath. The hour is a doorway into the Sabbath. The hour is a small hole in the long loop.